We had breakfast looking right into the rice fields, and then we walked through the small village of Hampi to the river. There we crossed in a motorboat to see the huge temples. The boat nearly sank with so many people crammed on, including a motorbike. We made it to the other side, and climbed the rocks up to meet our guide Basu, a local guide. We went first to the Shiva Temple called Virupaksha. Very spectacular. We were mobbed by school kids, shaking hands, and being so so friendly and very vocal. There was a marriage hall, where anyone could marry. There was an elephant in the courtyard, and I had a pic with his trunk on my head. We went into lots of small passages through the temple, and there lots of idols of Parvati ( wife of Shiva ). Very interesting local people to have pics with. Amazing vegetable colours on the ceiling of gods and goddesses. Then we went by tuk tuk to see the broken Ganesh elephant statue. Hindus do not worship broken idols. They had been broken by enemies long ago. From there we went to the statue of Narasimha ( the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Very scary, half lion, half human. Seven cobras above his head. Close by was the Shiva Lingum, which is the representation of male and female sex organs ( symbol of fertility ) It was surrounded by water. Then by tuk tuk to the Lotus Temple, which was the Queen's private palace. Very spectacular. We went to the elephant stable place....very big area. We had coconut water there. There were the houses of the mahouts or elephant keepers on one side. The whole area was walled. Then we went by tuk tuk to Hazarama Temple. There the guide told us the story of Rama and his brothers. We saw stone carvings of this story. Then we walked to the Kings Palace Platform, which we climbed up, and saw the aqueduct, and a well. Then the tuk tuts took us to the Queen's bathroom. A very interesting place, with water channels etc. Then we went by tuk tuk to the Vittal Temple which was very interesting. On the way we had sugar cane juice at a roadside stand. This was my big mistake. I also ate a local fruit, which was washed but hmmmmmmm!!!!We saw the chariots in stone, with an eagle on the top, and the musical complex with tuned musical pipes, ( 56) that had to be played with a sandalwood mallet. They closed this part to the public, as tourists would have ruined the pipes.There was a marriage hall here too.....very ornate, lots of pipes. Then we went by tuk tuk, to the lunch place: Food point. It was a Thali lunch....my stomach was now not well!! I was not a happy camper. The tuk tuk took us to the river. I got caught up with the locals, and then we got into the motorboat which nearly sank again, but got us back. We walked back through the village of Hampi, which was very interesting, and back to the hotel. My stomach was sore, so no supper!! We left at 7:15 pm by van for Hopet railway station, where our train was almost on time!!! The van driver was talking the whole way!! We caught the train overnight to Mysore. ( Mysooru ). My stomach got way worse. I drank some wine, which I should not have done. I had an unpleasant night on the train.
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